http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/66/section/171BHighways Act 1980An Act to consolidate the Highways Acts 1959 to 1971 and related enactments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.1981-03-01texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-03-18Expert Participation2026-03-13 Part IX Lawful and Unlawful Interference With Highways and Streets Precautions to be taken in doing certain works in or near streets or highways<Addition ChangeId="d29p135642" CommentaryRef="c18852791" Prospective="true">Scaffolding, building materials and excavations: charge determined by reference to duration of occupation of highway</Addition>171B1The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations requiring a person who—aerects a relevant structure on or over a highway maintainable at the public expense,bdeposits building materials, rubbish or other things in such a highway, orcmakes a temporary excavation in such a highway,to pay a charge to the highway authority.2The reference in subsection (1)(a) to the erection of a relevant structure is a reference to the erection, in connection with any building or demolition work or the alteration, repair, maintenance or cleaning of any building, of any scaffolding or other structure that obstructs the highway.3The charge shall be determined in the prescribed manner, by reference to the period (in this section, the “relevant period”) for which—aa relevant structure is on or over the highway,bthings are deposited in the highway, or (as the case may be)cthere is an excavation in the highway.4The regulations shall not require charges to be paid to a local highway authority unless the Secretary of State has, by order, approved the authority for the purposes of the regulations.5The regulations may require disputes of any prescribed description to be referred to an arbitrator appointed in accordance with the regulations.6Subsections (6) and (10) to (22) of section 171A apply in relation to regulations under subsection (1) of this section as they apply in relation to regulations under subsection (1) of that section.S. 171B inserted (prosp.) by Traffic Management Act 2004 (c. 18), ss. 69, 99 (with s. 38)